Criminal Defense · State & Federal

Defense. Never prosecution.

Mark A. Sampson has spent his entire career — more than 30 years — on one side of the courtroom: defending people charged with crimes in Central Texas state courts and the federal courts of the Western District of Texas.

Call (512) 320-8363 Request a Consultation

30+Years of defense

1993Admitted, State Bar of Texas

W.D. Tex.Federal court licensed

Why It Matters

When you hire Mark Sampson, you will not face this alone.

Facing a criminal charge can be an overwhelming experience. The legal system is a complex maze of statutes, procedures, and unwritten rules. The imbalance is significant: prosecutors are backed by law enforcement investigators, substantial taxpayer resources, and years of experience handling thousands of cases.

Trying to navigate this process alone — or with an attorney who lacks focused criminal defense experience — can lead to serious and lasting consequences.

When you hire Mark Sampson, you will have a dedicated advocate who will immediately protect your rights, ensure you are treated with dignity and respect, and work tirelessly to understand your unique circumstances.

With compassion, strategic insight, and a commitment to your defense, we will stand with you every step of the way.

Practice Areas

A defense practice built for both courthouses

State charges and federal charges are different worlds — different rules, different prosecutors, different stakes. This practice has deep experience in both.

Flagship Practice

Federal Criminal Defense

Federal cases move fast and the sentencing stakes are high. Mark Sampson practices in the Western District of Texas and teaches federal criminal practice to other defense lawyers — including the sentencing guidelines, criminal history analysis, and the interplay between state and federal proceedings.

Federal defense in depth »

Drug and firearm prosecutions
U.S. Sentencing Guidelines strategy
CJA panel experience
State-to-federal case transitions

State Criminal Defense

From DWI and misdemeanors to serious felonies in Travis, Williamson, and surrounding counties. Thorough trial preparation on every case — because the cases prepared for trial are the ones that resolve well.

DWI, drug & felony defense »

Jail Release & Bonds

There are four ways out of jail, and hiring a bondsman first often means paying twice. Jail release fees here are applied toward your representation. Phones answered 24 hours a day.

Understand your bond options »

Also handling: Personal Injury

If you've been injured in an accident, we pursue full compensation with the same diligence we bring to the courtroom.

Learn more »

Mark A. Sampson seated in his Austin law office

About Mark

Three decades on the defense side of the docket

A graduate of the University of Texas School of Law, Mark Sampson has defended Central Texans since 1993. He served as Presiding Director of the Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (2024–2025) and develops training for fellow defense attorneys on federal criminal practice. He has never prosecuted anyone — and never will.

"Having to hire an attorney wasn't fun... but Mark was a pleasure to work with and helped me turn a bad situation into something that positively changed my life." — M. Guadalupe Jaimez, former client

Read Mark's full profile

How It Works

What to expect when you call

1. Talk to us — any hour

Phones are answered 24 hours a day. If someone is in custody, we move on jail release immediately, and release fees are credited toward representation.

2. A plan, not a pitch

We assess your case honestly — the charges, the evidence, the deadlines that matter (a license hearing must be requested within 15 days of a DWI arrest).

3. Payment that fits

Payment plans are available in most cases — typically about one-third down, with the balance over roughly 90 days. Cash, card, and cashier's checks accepted.

Counties served: Travis · Williamson · Bastrop · Hays · Caldwell — and federal matters throughout the Western District of Texas